Forced to marry, I picked up a young powerful official

Shen Nankui nodded, "Remember, no matter what time, you should neither underestimate yourself nor be arrogant. Hua Ting Academy is where your master Gu once studied. There are the most knowledgeable teachers in Cang County and the most progressive atmosphere. Most importantly, Hua Ting Academy only recruits people based on their talents and never looks down on the poor. You may be able to achieve real transformation there."

Yang Ze listened to her, his expression full of determination, but suddenly his eyes turned red.

"Master, if I really go to the academy, I can no longer follow you..."

Shen Nankui smiled softly, "What's the point of following me? I have no achievements, and I am just an unknown person in the literary world. You think I'm good now, but it's because you haven't seen the wider world. Now all I can do is to send you to a farther place, so that you don't have to be trapped in Lai'an Town."

Yang Ze was shocked and couldn't help wiping away his tears.

"Master, why do you treat us so well?"

No matter how mature and steady he was, he was only a thirteen-year-old boy. Shen Nankui's heart softened and she said softly, "The affection between people is mutual. When I was caught up in rumors, didn't you stand up and clear my name? Besides, I did these things out of my own considerations, not all because of you."

She smiled and said, "Remember when I first entered the private school, you were the one who questioned me the most. Not only did you oppose me teaching in the private school, you were also dissatisfied with me allowing girls to enter the school. Until now, don't you feel that there has been any change?"

Yang Ze wiped his tears and said in a loud voice: "Of course, it has changed. It's not just me, but also everyone in Lai'an Town. The students have long been convinced by you, and the villagers also sent their children to study under you because of their trust. Even now, everyone is willing to donate money to build a college."

"Yes," Shen Nankui looked into the distance, "As long as this fire is big enough, there is no need to worry about not being able to illuminate the way forward."

The changes brought about by one's own efforts are still too little.

Therefore, she not only had to be a teacher herself, but also had to expand the academy and recruit more talents.

As the saying goes, a single spark can start a prairie fire. In her previous life, she was muddle-headed and lived a meaningless life, but in this life, she also wanted to do something for this world.

Yang Ze seemed to understand, but not quite. He felt vaguely like he had figured out something, but he couldn't put it into words.

Seeing that they had already arrived outside the Gu family courtyard, Shen Nankui said, "The entrance examination for Huating Academy is coming soon. Time is precious. I will not keep you here today. I see that you are also very worried. You should go back and calm down. Remember, don't let trivial matters bother you anymore. Just do what you should do."

Yang Ze's heart trembled, and he replied: "Student obeys your command."

After he left, He Hua couldn't help but sigh: "Madam, you are more generous than before. I am not good at speaking and don't know how to express it... I just look at you and can't help but admire you. As long as I stay by your side, I feel at peace."

She always felt that the girl now was like a different person from before. Although her appearance and personality were still the same, her conversation and demeanor were several levels higher.

No wonder. As soon as Shen Nankui was reborn, she sent Hehua out of the Shen family. Now that they meet again, she naturally feels many differences.

Shen Nankui stretched out his hand and pinched her face, saying with a smile: "You are so good at praising people, how can you be said to be dumb? I'm hungry, I want to eat the bamboo shoots and chicken stew you made today."

Looking at the joking girl in front of him, the sense of distance in Hehua's heart suddenly disappeared, and she quickly responded: "Okay, I will go back and do it for you!"

She walked into the yard in two steps. Behind her, Shen Nankui smiled helplessly and shook his head.

-

The current private school is too small to be suitable for reconstruction, so the new academy is located in an open space in the south of Lai'an Town. Firstly, the place is spacious, and secondly, it is a little distance away from the town and quiet enough.

Shen Nankui drew a blueprint of the academy. According to her idea, since the academy was to be expanded, it would be a good idea to set up separate schools for boys and girls. This way, she could avoid a reason for being criticized.

She negotiated many details of the academy with the village head, and after everything was confirmed, construction could begin.

Shen Nankui didn't have to worry about the construction, she still taught at the private school every day.

By the end of February, the academy had taken shape. Shen Nankui wrote to Gu Qingrong, asking him to spread the news in the county that Lai'an Academy was recruiting teachers, regardless of gender.

Over the past year, Shen Nankui's work as a female tutor in Lai'an Town was no longer a secret in Cang County. When people learned that she was recruiting tutors for the new academy, regardless of gender, they couldn't help but talk about it. She once again became a topic of conversation among the people of Cang County after dinner. There were even storytellers in the teahouses in the county telling her stories.

However, people's opinions on her are still mixed.

There were pedantic and conservative literati who denounced her, and there were also literati who appreciated her virtues and supported her... Of course, apart from these gossips and discussions, the private school where Shen Nankui was studying gradually became lively.

There was a man who looked at her with a frown on his face.

"Are you the Shen family?"

"I'm."

"Do you know that a hen crowing at dawn is against the right way?"

"Your Excellency's words are too serious. I am a woman who serves as a teacher and teaches people. I have never done anything wrong. May I ask what is wrong with that?"

"It's not right for a woman to be a teacher! The academy is so important that a little girl like you is in control. How can we feel about that? I advise you to return home quickly and take care of your husband and children!"

"Oh? I wonder if you have any achievements or have any words passed down to future generations? If I retire, can you take over my position?"

A group of students stared at the man with eager eyes, "If you can't teach well, you won't get the tuition!"

"You are such an ignorant woman! Look at these students, what have they become of you? With your ability, you are not qualified to be a teacher here. I wonder how these students' families were deceived by you? Did you use some shameful means to deceive them?"

The man cursed Shen Nankui at the gate of the private school, but was pelted with rotten vegetable leaves and rotten eggs.

The people in the town were outraged.

"Bah, where did this lunatic come from? How dare you insult our Master Shen?"

"You call yourself a scholar? I think you have no manners at all!"

"Let's chase him away and don't let him disturb Master Shen's work!"

"That's right. Master Shen expanded the academy and recruited teachers out of his own pocket. What was his purpose? Wasn't it all for the future of the children in our town of Lai'an? We can't be ungrateful!"

The visitor was covered in filth and left Lai'an Town in disgrace.

With this precedent, people who came to see Shen Nankui became much more obedient and no longer said those unpleasant words. Most of them came to hire teachers for Lai'an Academy.

After all, the remuneration offered by Shen Nankui was not low. In addition to the tuition paid by the students every month, she also gave them an additional three taels of silver as salary.

This kind of treatment is not worse than that of some academies in Cang County.